NATIONAL cleaning company Spontex, which is based in Worcester, has begun a year of celebrations to mark its 80th year in business in the UK.

The specialist now on Berkeley Business Park was founded in France in 1932 and began trading in the UK in 1935. Initially operating from Kent, it later moved to Swansea before transferring to Worcester in 1999.

Spontex initially found success after developing the world’s first cellulose sponge and has since gone from strength to strength, developing and marketing a full range of household products, including sponges, cloths, scourers, gloves and mops. Its products are sold in supermarkets up and down the country and it has become the top branded manufacturer of cleaning tools and gloves in the UK.

Joanne Evans, the company's marketing manager, said: "To celebrate our 80 years of success Spontex is planning a whole host of activities for 2015, including an initiative to encourage the people of Worcester to get involved in keeping their community spaces clean. 2015 is such an exciting year for the company and while we reflect on the lessons learned from our long heritage, we also look forward to the next 80 years of making cleaning better, quicker and easier.”

Spontex’s successes have allowed it to invest in both local businesses and the community. Last year the company signed a £1 million account with local agency TCS Media and supported the work of the Worcester Animal Rescue Centre with the donation of a deep clean and products.